Lower Saxony promotes certificate course in supply chain management for regional companies

2023-12-05 Lüneburg. In January of this year, a law came into force in Germany that aims to strengthen human rights and environmental protection in global supply chains. A new continuing education programme at the Leuphana Professional School refers to this and focuses on sustainable supply chain management. The European Social Fund and the state of Lower Saxony are financing up to 70 per cent of the tuition fees for prospective students from eleven districts in north-east Lower Saxony. The six-month, part-time certificate programme starts in April 2024.

Students on their way to the central building ©Leuphana/Jannis Muser
Students on their way to the central building

The online programme provides academically sound knowledge for practical application in regional companies. Based on international standards such as the EU Supply Chain Act and a company-specific risk analysis, participants develop an individual supply chain strategy and acquire knowledge of supplier management and the design of sustainable supply networks. Sustainability expert Prof. Dr Stefan Schaltegger from the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) leads the "Sustainable Supply Chain Management" certificate course.

The course, which consists of four modules and can be studied flexibly, is aimed at specialists from all sectors and organisations, in particular buyers, quality managers, supply chain managers and logistics specialists. A university entrance qualification and at least one year of professional experience are required. Employees of regional companies from the districts of Cuxhaven, Stade, Rotenburg, Osterholz, Verden, Heidekreis, Harburg, Lüneburg, Uelzen, Celle and Lüchow-Dannenberg can apply for the programme.

The closing date for applications is 29 February 2024. Interested parties will have the opportunity to find out more about the programme at an online information evening on 18 January 2024. Further information is available at: www.leuphana.de/ze-nachhaltiges-lieferkettenmanagement


Background:
The new Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) poses major challenges for companies: They must ensure that all human rights and environmental due diligence obligations are fulfilled in their supply chains in order to avoid reputational damage and sanctions. The law affects companies with more than 3,000 employees, and from January 2024 with more than 1,000 employees, and therefore also many companies in the region.